Comics creator, writer, and artist Hope Larson (Mercury, Gray Horses, Chiggers, Salamader Dream) recently conducted a survey called Girls & Comics on her livejournal for girls and women that read comics. The results were interesting, and if you read this column and other female positive or female focused comics columns throughout the web, not that surprising. In the wake of reading her results, I asked Hope if she’d be willing to stop by She Has No Head! to answer some questions about her survey and the feedback she received. She graciously accepted.

So it’s time to come clean, I’m totally a recluse lately (and by lately I mean the last two years – ish). It takes a herculean effort on my behalf to go out and I generally have to be motivated by an incredibly impressive event, film, get together, whatever in order to make that herculean effort. Drink & Draw like a Lady (hosted by the generous 192 Books and organized byHope Larsonwith help from Raina Telgemeier and Lucy Knisley) turned out to be just such an event and I’m supremely glad I dragged my lazy reclusive ass to it.

In addition to all the great women that I met, chatted, and exchanged materials with, the most awesome aspect of the evening was just the vibe – chill and relaxed, inspirational and encouraging, all at once. I realized, standing there, surrounded by women interested in and/or involved in comics, that I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a room filled to the brim solely with women before – let alone women interested in the same kinds of things I’m interested in – comics! It was at once empowering and comforting to be in the company of all those women, and an experience I’ll not soon forget.